Doctrine — Prophecy — end times — the second coming — tribulation

Why The Rapture Is Post-Trib Part 4 the First Resurrection

We are one with the saints as the Apostle Paul has designated us; therefore in my feeble mind we must conclude that unless we find scripture that will allow us to reverse that position, then we would expect to find the resurrection taught as a one time event for this one new man. He (this new man) is represented in Ephesians as being in Christ and one with the saints. In this post we will finalize who he — this one new man really is, and when he must be Raptured.

Jesus stated in John — 28 Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

John 5:28-29 NASB

notice the same wording is given for both of these Resurrection’s. One is to life and one is to death. Those who argue that the first resurrection to life has many parts, never argue that the second resurrection to death has many parts. Yet Jesus spoke of each in the same way. We here in this passage that all (every human being) will be resurrected to one of two resurrections.

Notice, the resurrection to life is only separated from those who committed evil. Again Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Luke 20:34-36 NASB

Jesus again twice makes reference to the resurrection. This time it is stated to be to life and here it is specifically for those Jews worthy to attain to that age, which here is implied to be the age following this age, and this age is the age of marriage and giving in marriage. So “that age” which is to come would be the kingdom age or millennium for this is when the sons of God are revealed in “the” resurrection. Also these are Jews here who are promised if worthy to attain to the resurrection to then be sons of God, — one new man is definitely supported here.

Martha said to Jesus speaking of Lazarus death, “ I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

John 11:24-25 NASB

Martha, who lived in what we consider to be Old Covenant times somehow knew of this future resurrection which she believed was at the end of the age — the last day. Why did she know of this? listen:

In Daniel 12:13 NASBS He is told:

[13] But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

But Daniel was not the only one told that the end of the age would be the time for this “rest” that he was promised. Again listen to what Paul told the Thessalonians:

and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,

2 Thessalonians 1:7 ASV

Paul had preceding this statement told the Thessalonians who were being afflicted and persecuted that their rest was coming at this future point in history along with “ours”; and we can see that this would be at the same time Daniel was told that he would receive his rest. What Paul described is an end of this age happening. Daniels rest is also at the end of the age and that is precisely when Jesus will be revealed in flaming fire to punish those who afflict us. His revelation is His return (his appearance).

Daniel had also spoken of the resurrection: 2] Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2 NASBS

Paul obviously understood all of this for in Acts he is quoted as saying:

But this I admit to you, that according to the Way (the way was the early name for Jewish believers in Messiah) which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men (Jews who believe the resurrection) cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Acts 24:14-15 NASB

Paul understood that Jesus was the reason for his hope: this resurrection to life is our blessed hope.

For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,

Romans 6:5 NASB

He also taught that only “in Christ” in the Jewish Messiah will this life come about.

For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ (the Jewish Messiah) all will be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 NASB

So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul .” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:45,48-52 NASB

Paul had told the Thessalonians that their endurance of afflictions and persecutions made them worthy to inherit the kingdom of God, and here he says Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. If this is true and we know it is; then at the time of the kingdom age, or the millennium as premillennialists see the kingdom, all must be in new bodies. And all must be in Him (Messiah of Israel). “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”. This body who must be changed into immortality is Paul’s one new man. Paul also lets us know that some — those who are Raptured will not sleep, but all will be changed and this change will be at a specific time — the last Trumpet. He says that all of those who do sleep or who have died will be changed at this resurrection. Those who are Raptured must all follow this resurrection. Here is the key to the timing of the resurrection and Rapture. They must be one event. Unless as I said before you can find a New Testament scripture which will allow for the undoing of what Messiah (Christ) has brought together in the one new man. Just as in Adam all have died, so in Israel’s Messiah (Jesus) all will be made alive. Paul states this as a future promise only for those in Israel’s Messiah (Christ Jesus).

So this last Trumpet resurrection will be the first resurrection and it will be of the righteous. It must also include the saved (those in Christ) of the Tribulation, otherwise they cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So does it?

[4] Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. [5] The rest of the dead (those not in Christ) did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Revelation 20:4-5 NASBS

All who are in Christ are raised just before the kingdom age in this the first resurrection following the salvation of Israel’s final remnant. All must be in Christ, one new man, one body, one bride, one holy nation, one royal priesthood.

Daniel 12:2 NASBS

[2] Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

[6] Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:6 NASBS

These First resurrection saints will reign with the Messiah of Israel for 1000 years as part of the bride of Christ the Jewish Messiah.

Just before Jesus returns to resurrect and Rapture the saints — the one new man we here:

Revelation 19:7 NASBS

[7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”

Revelation 11:15 NASBS

[15] Then the seventh angel sounded (the seventh and last trumpet); and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NASBS

[51] Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Unless we can find scripture to substantiate what others teach that there is more than one first resurrection and more than one rapture and more than one people of God; then we have no choice but to accept what the scriptures teach us.

God really does not need me to explain His word. He is perfectly capable of communicating through His word what we need to know. I have merely referenced His word as best as I can to show you why I believe as I do on the timing of the Rapture. It must follow the first resurrection. It must incorporate all who believe in Israel’s Messiah (Christ). It must result in one flock as Jesus put it, one new man as Paul put it. All must come through one symbolic Olive tree. We all must be one body and one bride. The picture from scripture points to oneness not division. May God bless you as you ponder these things in your heart.